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Dean Lester stops by to talk about the future of Windows gaming.

By Steve Butts

You know the feeling you get when you settle down for a nice match of Quake and wind up playing Driver Update instead? Well if Dean Lester, General Manager of Windows graphics and gaming technologies, has his way, the thornier side of Windows gaming could be smoothed over considerably. Rather than attacking the problem piecemeal, Dean's envisioned a strategy that improves the Windows gaming experience from start to finish.

Currently the team is following the trend of the industry and focusing much of their attention on graphics, primarily because that's where the largest and most demanding innovations are taking place. But Dean's interested in addressing all aspects of Windows gaming, from system requirements to uninstalls.

Dean's team was tasked with creating a list of the most significant hurdles to enjoying gaming under Windows. The seven items that most appeared on the lists are the seven goals Dean has in mind for the next version of Windows, now known as Longhorn. While the items in question are less of a problem for more experienced gamers, the variable nature of PC hardware and the wide range of available configurations make it damned difficult for most gamers to get just the right setup.

Dean says that the new version of Window will work in tandem with DirectX 9 to address the following areas:

1. System requirements. Deciding whether or not a given game works on your current hardware is a bit tricky. Dean's proposing (and finding widespread acceptance of) a new ratings system that would reduce the various components to one single performance code. So if you have an "B" computer, you can run B and C games but not A games.

2. Installation. Wading through twenty options to get a game installed on your system is a pain in the butt, even for the savvier members of the gaming community. Dean hopes to move more towards games that run straight from the CD-ROM drive.

3. Controllers. Button configuration and controller setup is always a headache. Dean wants developers to create pre-loaded profiles for a new line of Microsoft peripherals. The team will, of course, still support the various 3rd party controllers you're currently using. They'll just support the Microsoft ones much more easily.

4. Display drivers. Getting a game to look right on a range of video cards is another problem that will be addressed. Dean works very closely with GPU manufacturers and is, in fact, aware of their processor road maps for the new three years. This will ensure that games can more easily expand with the advances in hardware.

5. Multiplayer. This is another nightmare for some gamers and the team is committed to easing their fears and removing obstacles. One proposed addition to multiplayer matches would allow gamers to use their MSN Messenger buddy list to select players and launch private gaming sessions.

6. Patches. Many people continue to plug away at games that are horribly out-of-date, simply because they're unaware that a patch is available. Following on the model of the prompts for regular Windows updates, developers and publishers will soon be able to flag games that are patched and provide that info to gamers right on their desktop.

7. Parental controls. At their choice, computer owners will be able to lock out games with objectionable content. Presumably this refers to things like blood and sex and not things like jumping puzzles or inane dialogue -- equally objectionable in many ways.

Dean also mentioned that there are currently too many places in Windows to configure all of your gaming options. With the new version of Windows, Dean hopes to include a single screen that allows you to manage every aspect of gaming. Described as a replica of the My Pictures or My Music folders (which allow various types of management in a single location) the proposed My Games folder would let players adjust hardware and software settings.

If things work according to plan this folder will also allow publishers to inform gamers of new content. Each game icon will have an accompanying slot for publisher updates. Predicting that some of you might start crying "invasive marketing" the gang at Microsoft have assured us that the publishers will only be able to select from a list of about 20 canned messages -- such as "sequel released," or "update available."

In all, these changes seem poised to blow the market open and bring a lot more people in to gaming. Still, an ounce of proof is worth a pound of talk any day. While the possibility exists that publishers will dumb down titles to appeal to a wider range of potential players, it's equally likely that some underserved niches of the gaming market (adventure, wargaming, etc.) will find a wide enough audience to justify the expenses incurred in development and distribution.